COLERAINE Academy held its inaugural Awards Night at the Vineyard on Friday night.
Former Newcastle United and Coleraine boss, Iam McFaul was the special guest at the event, which was well attended by parents and children.
Iam was joined by the new mayor of Coleraine, councillor Sandy Gilkinson, current Coleraine manager, David Pl
att and players and backroom staff of Coleraine Football Club for the event.
Speaking at the event, Iam stressed the importance of discipline in the game and added: "I've just returned from Newcastle this week. It's very bleak over there, but it proves that no one has the divine right to stay in the Premier League, or in any football league, unless you work hard at it, and that should be a lesson to everyone here."
The former Northern Ireland international praised the youngsters for their commitment throughout the season and encouraged them to keep working hard at their game.
Bannsiders boss David Platt also had good advice for the young players, he said that local talent was the future of Coleraine Football Club and added: "You have to strive to be better that your best ever game, that's when you will keep improving, and you never know a few years down the line you could be running out at the showgrounds for Coleraine."
Rounding off the evening, Andy Alcorn, Chairman of the North West and Coleraine District League thanked the Academy staff and parents for their commitment throughout the year and paid tribute to 'unsung heroes' William Curry, John Mairs, James Dooley and Steven Quinn.
